Arkansas announces a change in direction of its men's basketball program



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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas has changed leadership in its men's basketball program. Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek announced today that Mike Anderson has been dismissed as head coach of men's basketball.

Anderson recently finished his eighth season as head coach of the Razorback men's basketball team and his 25th season overall as a member of the Razorback men's basketball program.

"After a review of the program, including an analysis of the past eight years and a look into the future, I decided that a change in leadership would better position the basketball program of our men's team for success. future, "said Yurachek. "In the past eight seasons, we have won several games and participated in the NIT and NCAA tournaments. However, in my assessment, we have not maintained a consistent level of success against the most competitive teams in the country to allow us to participate in the SEC and NCAA Championships each year. This will continue to be the benchmark for our success throughout our sports program.

"During his tenure with our program, Mike Anderson has represented the University of Arkansas in exemplary fashion and with the highest level of integrity, both on the field and in the field. . We are grateful for the many contributions of Coach Anderson to our program and, most importantly, his investment in the lives of the many student-athletes he has coached. He has had a positive influence on their lives, encouraged and supported them in their individual and collective, school and athletic careers. We wish Mike, his wife Marcheita and the entire Anderson family the best. "

Anderson became Arkansas's 12th head coach for men's basketball in March 2011 and was 169-102 in eight seasons with the Razorbacks. He registered 369-200 as head coach for 17 years with stops at UAB (2002-06) and Missouri (2006-11) before returning to Arkansas in 2011. Anderson made part of the Razorbacks' staff for 17 seasons (1985-2002), helping Arkansas win the 1994 NCAA Championship.

The Razorback have won five playoff games in Anderson's last eight years, including three in the NCAA (2015, 2017 and 2018) and two in the NIT (2014 and 2019).

Arkansas was 18-16 last season, finished ninth in the SEC (8-10) and reached the second round of the NIT.

Yurachek announced that a national search for the next men's basketball head coach would begin immediately. Associate head coach Melvin Watkins will lead the men's basketball team until the head coach is named.

"With our great history and tradition, our loyal fan base and our fully supported program in the SEC, I am confident that we will identify a leader who will raise our men's basketball program every year to a competitive level at the national level." Yurachek said. . "In order to most effectively identify and secure our next head coach, I do not plan to comment further on our research until the end. I appreciate the understanding and support of all Razorback fans as we move forward in this process. "

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